"I would defend the
liberty of consenting adult creationists to practise whatever intellectual perversions
they like in the privacy of their own homes; but it is also necessary to protect the young
and innocent."Arthur C. Clarke (1984): 1984: Spring. page 265.

Home schooling is a contentious issue.
Attempts by Biblical literalists to insert
their religious dogma into American public education have been strongly opposed by
educators and scientists and soundly rejected by the courts and the voters.
This has helped fuel the proliferation of home schooling among the members of the
religious far right who have school age children. Professional creationists have encouraged this practice by producing
"curriculum" guides to be used
by home schooling parents.

There are undoubtedly many conscientious
parents who provide their home schooled children with a sound scientific background.
These days there are so many avenues open to the scientific home schooler (e.g.
science camps, correspondence courses, courses taught at local colleges or universities,
apprenticeships at medical facilities, Internet research and old-fashioned books).
Children can also be encouraged to ask questions of friends and relations in scientific
fields and to develop mentor relationships with other adults in those fields.

However,parents who are
susceptible to the anti science pedalled by creationists cannot properly instruct their
children in the subjects which are essential to ensure they are equipped to make their way
in our technological world. When parents brainwash their children with creationists'
pseudo science and fairy tales then home schooling can be a horrific concept.

Those parents who teach their children
creationist mumbo jumbo as science are, in my opinion, committing an act of intellectual
abuse against their children.

"Ken's bachelor's degree in applied
science (with an emphasis on environmental biology) was awarded by the Queensland
Institute of Technology. He also holds a Diploma of Education (equivalent to a master's
degree in America) from the University of Queensland."

Since I began this series of rebuttals to Mr
Ham's home schooling "lessons" it has become obvious that he is no
educator. His knowledge of science is as deficient as his knowledge of
theology and as a consequence his "lessons" are absolutely pitiful. If he
attempted to teach his rubbish in any school (other than a fundamentalist school) he would
be sacked for gross incompetence.

It is an utter tragedy that the likes of Ken
Ham are able to exert such an influence on young minds. Home school parents who
wittingly expose their children to creationist pseudo science should, like the
creationists themselves, be held accountable. As I said earlier, "Those parents who
teach their children creationist mumbo jumbo as science are, in my opinion, committing an
act of intellectual abuse against their children." That goes double for Ken Ham
and Answers in Genesis.